- 4.9/5 537 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 10 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
Most China itineraries skip Nanjing, which was the capital of six dynasties and is now one of the country’s quieter big cities. This 10-day private trip starts in Shanghai, takes a short train to Nanjing for its city wall, imperial tombs and river district, then flies on to Xi’an for the Terracotta Army and ends in Beijing.
You will walk along a Ming-era city wall, stand in front of thousands of clay warriors and climb a restored section of the Great Wall. It is a tailor-made trip with a private guide in each city and two longer travel days, and it suits travelers who have seen the headline sights before or want a less crowded stretch in the middle.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2
Shanghai
The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, local snacks
3 - 4
Nanjing
Zhonghua Gate, Qinhuai River, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Tomb, city wall
5
Nanjing to Xi’an
Museum visit, flight
6
Xi’an
Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter
7
Xi’an to Beijing
Home cooking visit, flight or train
8 - 9
Beijing
Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall
10
Beijing
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai
Your driver meets you after customs and takes you to your hotel, usually a 45-90 minute drive depending on the airport and traffic. Rest after the flight, then take a short walk nearby for a first meal if you have energy. In the evening, your guide stops by to go through the route, the pickup times and the early starts ahead. Keep your passport with you, since ticketed sites and trains require it.
- Shanghai
- Day 2: The Bund, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower
Start on the Bund, the riverfront promenade lined with early 20th-century banks and trading houses, with the Pudong skyscrapers across the water. Walk to Yu Garden, a Ming-era garden with rockeries and pavilions, and browse the bazaar around it. Stop for local snacks such as soup dumplings and pan-fried buns. In the late afternoon, go up the Shanghai Tower for a view over the whole city as the lights come on.
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- Shanghai
- Day 3: High-Speed Train to Nanjing
Take the high-speed train to Nanjing, about 1-1.5 hours, and check in at your hotel. Visit Zhonghua Gate, one of the largest surviving city gates in China, built in the Ming dynasty with tunnels you can walk through. Spend the evening around the Qinhuai River and Confucius Temple district, where lantern-lit lanes and old teahouses line the water. A short boat ride on the river is available at extra cost.
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- Nanjing
- Day 4: Imperial Tombs and the City Wall
Visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, set on Purple Mountain and reached by a long flight of steps. Entry needs advance reservations, so we book it ahead. Next, see the Ming Xiaoling tomb of the Hongwu emperor, approached along an avenue of stone animals and officials. In the afternoon, walk a stretch of the Ming city wall near Xuanwu Lake, where you can look over the water and the modern skyline.
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- Nanjing
- Day 5: Nanjing to Xi’an
Spend the morning at the Six Dynasties Museum, which covers the city’s long history as a southern capital. If you prefer, you can swap it for the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, a heavy visit where your guide lets you set the pace. After lunch, transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi’an, about 2 hours. You arrive in the evening and go straight to your hotel.
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- Nanjing
- Day 6: Terracotta Army and the Muslim Quarter
Drive about 40 minutes to the Terracotta Army, and go early, before the tour groups arrive. Walk around the main pits, where thousands of life-size soldiers and horses stand in formation, and see the bronze chariots in the museum. Your guide explains how the figures were made and why the first emperor was buried with them. In the evening, eat your way through the Muslim Quarter’s food stalls.
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- Xi’an
- Day 7: Xi’an Kitchen, Then Beijing
Spend the morning in a local home, learning to make dumplings or hand-pulled noodles with the family who lives there. Then transfer to the airport for a flight to Beijing, about 2 hours, or to the station for the high-speed train, about 4.5 hours. You arrive in the evening and check in. Expect this to be part cultural and part travel day, so the pace stays light.
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- Beijing
- Day 8: Forbidden City and Jingshan Park
Walk the central axis of the Forbidden City with your guide, through the ceremonial halls and into the quieter side courts where the imperial family lived. Entry is capped and the site is closed on Mondays, so we plan the order of your days around it. Allow about three hours inside, and wear comfortable shoes for the stone courtyards. Finish at Jingshan Park, where a short climb gives a view back over the golden roofs.
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- Beijing
- Day 9: Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall
Start at the Temple of Heaven, where locals gather in the park to practice tai chi, play cards and sing. Your guide explains the ceremonies the emperors performed there. In the afternoon, drive about 1.5 hours to Mutianyu, a restored section of the Wall along forested ridges. Take the cable car up and walk between watchtowers for as long as you like, since the steps are steep. Bring water and a hat, as there is little shade.
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- Beijing
- Day 10: Departure from Beijing
As your unforgettable journey through China comes to an end, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey!
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